Practical Nursing Mental Health Exam Questions &
Answers – Depression, Schizophrenia, Substance Abuse,
Dementia, and Crisis Care |Complete Exam Questions
Provided with A+ Grade Answers
A man who has been admitted numerous times for alcohol detoxification is found wandering in
the street and is unable to identify himself or his home address. He is manifesting ataxia,
nystagmus, and confusion and has a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.29%. Which prescribed
medication should the practical nurse (PN) administer to prevent Korsakoff's psychosis?
A. Thiamine
An older client who is hospitalized with pneumonia becomes disoriented and confused 2 days
after admission. Which factor should the practical nurse (PN) identify to differentiate that the
client is experiencing delirium, not dementia?
D. Acute onset of symptoms.
Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) report immediately when talking with a new
mother who is diagnosed with postpartum depression with psychotic features?
A. Thoughts of harming her infant.
During a prenatal visit, a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy tells the practical
nurse (PN) that she is using cocaine. What information about cocaine is most important for the
PN to provide the client?
D. Cocaine can cause miscarriage or premature onset of labor.
Which part of the client's plan of care is the practical nurse (PN) implementing when plans are
used to increase a male client's participation in his own care and social environment?
B. The therapeutic community.
A practical nurse (PN) is interacting with a female client who is discussing her divorce as a
stressor. What areas should be explored with the client to gather the most relevant
information?
D. Biopsychosocial responses.
The practical nurse (PN) is inquiring about coping strategies with a male client who is admitted
for alcohol abuse. The client tells the PN that his job skills and communication skills are his best
, assets and support. Which additional information should the PN obtain about maladaptive
mechanisms?
B. Self indulgence
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a male client who is admitted for schizophrenia and
observes that his thoughts do not flow logically and he uses invented words. How should the PN
document this behavior?
B. Uses neologisms and tangential expressions.
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic complaining of insomnia, irritability, increased
tension, and headaches. He tells the practical nurse that the symptoms began a week ago after
he lost his job, and he is concerned that he may have to relocate his family. Which stressor is
this client experiencing?
B. A situational crisis.
A 19-year-old calls the clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that since bringing her newborn
infant home, she has felt apathetic, fatigued, and helpless. She states, "I don't know what's
expected of me." What action is most important for the PN to take?
A. Tell the charge nurse to come to the phone and talk with the client.
A client who is admitted for surgery seems to focus only on his immediate concerns and asks
the practical nurse (PN) to repeat everything that is said over again. The client seems to follow
directions but asks for assistance when filling out admission forms and checklists. He apologizes
to the PN often and says he did not hear all of the instructions. This client is experiencing which
level of anxiety?
C. Severe
A male client is admitted to the hospital with distorted sensory perceptions, disordered
thoughts, and an increase in non-goal directed motor activity. The client does not respond to
the practical nurse's (PN) calming efforts.
B. Ensure the environment is safe.
A woman tells the practical nurse (PN) that for the past 6 months she has been terrified of
leaving home. Whenever she thinks about going outdoors her heart pounds, she shakes and
cries, and feels dizzy. Based on these findings, which nursing diagnosis should the practical
nurse (PN) consider when caring for this client?
C. Social isolation related to avoidance behavior as evidenced by inability to go out of doors.
Answers – Depression, Schizophrenia, Substance Abuse,
Dementia, and Crisis Care |Complete Exam Questions
Provided with A+ Grade Answers
A man who has been admitted numerous times for alcohol detoxification is found wandering in
the street and is unable to identify himself or his home address. He is manifesting ataxia,
nystagmus, and confusion and has a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.29%. Which prescribed
medication should the practical nurse (PN) administer to prevent Korsakoff's psychosis?
A. Thiamine
An older client who is hospitalized with pneumonia becomes disoriented and confused 2 days
after admission. Which factor should the practical nurse (PN) identify to differentiate that the
client is experiencing delirium, not dementia?
D. Acute onset of symptoms.
Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) report immediately when talking with a new
mother who is diagnosed with postpartum depression with psychotic features?
A. Thoughts of harming her infant.
During a prenatal visit, a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy tells the practical
nurse (PN) that she is using cocaine. What information about cocaine is most important for the
PN to provide the client?
D. Cocaine can cause miscarriage or premature onset of labor.
Which part of the client's plan of care is the practical nurse (PN) implementing when plans are
used to increase a male client's participation in his own care and social environment?
B. The therapeutic community.
A practical nurse (PN) is interacting with a female client who is discussing her divorce as a
stressor. What areas should be explored with the client to gather the most relevant
information?
D. Biopsychosocial responses.
The practical nurse (PN) is inquiring about coping strategies with a male client who is admitted
for alcohol abuse. The client tells the PN that his job skills and communication skills are his best
, assets and support. Which additional information should the PN obtain about maladaptive
mechanisms?
B. Self indulgence
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a male client who is admitted for schizophrenia and
observes that his thoughts do not flow logically and he uses invented words. How should the PN
document this behavior?
B. Uses neologisms and tangential expressions.
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic complaining of insomnia, irritability, increased
tension, and headaches. He tells the practical nurse that the symptoms began a week ago after
he lost his job, and he is concerned that he may have to relocate his family. Which stressor is
this client experiencing?
B. A situational crisis.
A 19-year-old calls the clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that since bringing her newborn
infant home, she has felt apathetic, fatigued, and helpless. She states, "I don't know what's
expected of me." What action is most important for the PN to take?
A. Tell the charge nurse to come to the phone and talk with the client.
A client who is admitted for surgery seems to focus only on his immediate concerns and asks
the practical nurse (PN) to repeat everything that is said over again. The client seems to follow
directions but asks for assistance when filling out admission forms and checklists. He apologizes
to the PN often and says he did not hear all of the instructions. This client is experiencing which
level of anxiety?
C. Severe
A male client is admitted to the hospital with distorted sensory perceptions, disordered
thoughts, and an increase in non-goal directed motor activity. The client does not respond to
the practical nurse's (PN) calming efforts.
B. Ensure the environment is safe.
A woman tells the practical nurse (PN) that for the past 6 months she has been terrified of
leaving home. Whenever she thinks about going outdoors her heart pounds, she shakes and
cries, and feels dizzy. Based on these findings, which nursing diagnosis should the practical
nurse (PN) consider when caring for this client?
C. Social isolation related to avoidance behavior as evidenced by inability to go out of doors.
